Nature's Peace and Quiet
Helsinki residents seek respite from the noises of the city in nature’s peace and quiet in the city’s parks as well as their summer cottages. Controlling noise and silence is an age-old way of exercising power and creating one’s own space amidst the madding crowd. READ MORE

Wise Men Guided by a Star
Did the Star of Bethlehem, shining brightly, really lead the three wise men to baby Jesus on the first Christmas, as Christians believe? According to Simo Parpola, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Helsinki, the existence of the so-called Star of Bethlehem can, at least, be proved scientifically. Babylonian almanacs written in cuneiform and preserved in four copies tell the story. READ MORE

Finland Meets Japan
- Big Differences, Unexpected Connections
Finnish cultural co-operation with Japan is well underway, and now the focus is on science and research. People heading for Japan should forget stereotypical views, Katja Valaskivi, Director of the Finnish Institute in Japan, advises. READ MORE